Meet The Team
Italian Mica joined WNY Chamber in 2019, initially working in Trade procedures at the International Department and then moving to the Business Services department, where she is currently managing the EEN and the Konfer platforms, or “dating app for businesses’ as she likes to refer to them.
The EEN platform is a free service that helps our clients to find commercial and technological partners overseas all around the world-with a focus on Europe based businesses. EEN stands for Enterprise Europe Network and it is a service that has been around since 2008 and currently offers more than 5000 opportunities in its database.
Konfer works pretty much the same way as EEN, and has the same goals, the main difference is that it is a platform designed to encourage collaborations with universities, for example to implement a new technology collaboratively.
Micaela’s role is to help clients to find the best commercial and technological partners overseas, and implement their growth strategy through global opportunities.
In her free time Mica enjoys reading, walking, exploring new places and learning new languages.
Working across West & North Yorkshire, I help clients on their high growth journey backed by personal experience in growing my own SMEs, as well as management roles within large organisations. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance, quickly moving into finance related management consultancy and internal audit for a blue-chip company.
After a couple of career pivots I joined West and North Yorkshire Chamber, to manage an IT related ERDF project, starting me on my business support career. In 2013 I was accredited as an IP Business Adviser through the UK Intellectual Property Office and Coventry University and have enjoyed facilitating client understanding around all facets of Intellectual Property; as well as offering my core strategic business planning and modelling support, utilising tools such as the Value Proposition and Business Model canvases.
Having previously owned a catering company, I am currently using my chef experience to tackle the significant challenge of producing a varied (and tasty) menu whilst on a keto diet.
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Adelina, and I come from a small fishing town in the heart of the Danube Delta called Tulcea, Romania. I am a music fanatic and enjoy karaoke once in a while.
My professional path has been quite diverse, from graduating from Law School, getting a master’s degree in Public Law, becoming a mediator and then ending up in an industry that I was quite avoiding, finance. I have had the pleasure of working in the aerospace industry, specialising in duty, export and tariff codes and for the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce within the International Trade department where I have found my true passion: customs compliance, assisting clients with a smooth transition through Brexit.
Moving forward I’m now using my passion for supporting businesses as a Growth Specialist working across the area with a particular specialism to support innovative clients with their growth journey including internationalisation and the plans that need to be put in place.
Based in Leeds I have over 16 years supporting SME’s in the West, South and North Yorkshire regions working on various business support schemes over the years. Most recently spending 6 years working with early stage Growth SME’s on the Ad:Venture programme, giving founders the guidance to build their business in early stage and assisting hundreds of companies from a wide range of sectors to secure finance through Grant and Loan Funding to gain much needed help them speed up their growth journey.
A flexible coach, able to spot the key motivating factors for a business owner to work out the best ways to support them, my favourite coaching topics include value proposition, sales and cashflow forecasting to assist with planning and being the critical friend to sound ideas and strategies with, providing diplomatic and constructive feedback.
Outside of work I’m a keen runner, most recently taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks and currently looking for the next challenge to focus my energy. In the meantime I look forward to using that energy to assist Innovation led businesses and their founders to hit new heights. I also enjoy a cheesy metaphor!
Senior Innovation Growth Specialist – InnovateUK Edge
Based in the Leeds area, I have been supporting start-up and scale-up entrepreneurs in the North of England over the last 15 years. My early career began in training and development, business coaching which included overseas travel to South Asia & East Africa for capacity building of international supply chains.
I have supported businesses in the creative industry, software development, manufacturing, textiles, and engineering and have experience of running and scaling my own business. My favourite coaching topics include business model canvas, product design, innovation management, e-commerce automations and social media marketing.
Outside of work, I enjoy keeping fit and being an active member of my book club.
West and North Yorkshire Chamber is an Innovate UK Edge delivery partner for the region.
Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It is a publicly-funded service available to all high-potential small to medium-sized innovation-driven companies, including Innovate UK grant winners.
